[LINK] Customs computer system used by crims to track their containers

[Jan Whitaker]

http://www.theage.com.au/national/crime-syndicates-can-track-container-searches-20120328-1vyth.html

CRIME syndicates are exploiting flaws in a federal government 
computer system that have enabled them to learn if shipping 
containers holding their drugs are being scanned and searched by authorities.

The flaws are in the Australian Customs and Border Protection 
Service's Integrated Cargo System, which provides importers of goods 
with a means to track the movement of their cargo through port terminals.

Law enforcement agencies have discovered the system is being used by 
criminals to check if their shipping containers have been moved to a 
Customs Examination Facility or treated in a manner that suggests 
police attention.

State and federal policing agencies have discovered several instances 
where criminal syndicates have abandoned contraband-filled containers 
as a result of being tipped off via the computer system that their 
cargo was to be examined.

A confidential maritime ''vulnerabilities'' paper compiled by state 
and federal policing agencies about corruption and organised crime in 
the shipping sector identifies the computer system as a big problem.

''Customs has made protecting industry and trade a priority over law 
enforcement and it has to change,'' said a senior federal government 
source aware of the problems within Customs.

Customs and Border Protection chief executive Michael Carmody last 
night said he was working ''on a comprehensive overhaul'' to 
strengthen the security of the computer system.

''We know that criminals target our staff and our systems. That's why 
we work so closely with federal and state law enforcement agencies. 
And why we invest so heavily in intelligence collection and in the 
security of the Integrated Cargo System,'' he said. ''Where there is 
evidence of criminality we take action, often using covert methods to 
conceal the work we are doing to disrupt criminal activity.''

The revelation about criminal exploitation of the Customs computer 
system comes after Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare yesterday 
promised to boost the powers of the Commonwealth corruption watchdog, 
the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity.

Mr Clare was commenting in response to The Age's report about more 
than 24 customs and border protection officers being investigated for 
alleged corruption or misconduct.

Rejecting Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's renewed call for an inquiry 
into Customs, Mr Clare said the government would soon introduce an 
integrity testing plan for Customs and other law enforcement 
agencies, with ACLEI to be given the power to conduct stings to 
''weed out inappropriate behaviour''.

The vulnerability of the Customs computer program has been apparent 
since at least 2008, when a police operation found a suspected drug 
importing syndicate tapping into the system to find out if their 
containers were being screened.

Communications intercepted by police on bugged phones revealed the 
suspected traffickers discussing the results of their computer system 
searches and agreeing to abandon an allegedly drug-filled container.

In addition to the Customs computer system, The Age is aware of at 
least one privately owned cargo tracking program that relies on data 
provided by Customs. Police believe this privately owned system can 
also be easily accessed by criminals.

The Crime Commission has also warned that criminal syndicates are 
using false identities or shelf companies to import goods into 
Australia and avoid detection.

Commonwealth Auditor-General Ian McPhee has recently identified other 
potential weaknesses in Australia's cargo inspection regime.

In a report released last year, Mr McPhee said the big increase in 
online shopping posed a new contraband risk. Goods with a value of 
$1000 or less require less detailed information to be provided to Customs.